Eau-de-Vie Bar in Darlinghurst
The first thing you notice when you arrive at Eau-de-Vie Bar is a warm welcome from behind the bar. This is your reward for successfully navigating your way from Darlinghurst Road, down towards the back of the Kirketon Hotel to this inner city bar with no signage at the front.
Eau-de-Vie Bar
As your eyes adjust to the darkness and the vintage décor, you hone in on the well-stocked bar. Serge Gainsbourg’s duet with Brigitte Bardot streams from the speakers after a jazzy tune.
Inside the chic dimly-lit bar with a long communal table with a water fountain, dark wood banquettes and the odd pieces of objets d’art, the ambience is one for intimate conversations. We spot a dark corner by the end of the bar and settle down on a comfortable lounge.
Eau-de-Vie’s leather bound cocktail list is extensive with an option to upgrade cocktails with finer spirits. There are shared cocktails for 4 people, such as Lady’s Leg Cosmopolitan or a duo Pour Homme Pour Femme, a his and hers concoction as well as Champagne and a wine list from Australia, New Zealand, France and Italy.
Little Creatures Single Batch Oatmeal Stout (L) and Yuzu Mule (R)
The men start with a Little Creatures Single Batch Oatmeal Stout, a boutique beer from Freemantle in Australia. Very dark brown colour in colour yet easy to drink with a little earthy hop character.
Mr G orders the Yuzu Mule ($18.50), Eau-de-Vie’s signature cocktail with Smirnoff Black Vodka, yuzu curd (Japanese citrus fruit), lime and home-made ginger beer. We all take little sips from the copper cup in which it is served and wish we had ordered the same. This is one fine cocktail that compels you to order another.
Citrus Quartet and Amour de la Vigne
The women opt for something a little different. The aptly-named Citrus Quartet ($20) is a citrus assault to the palate with an alcohol kick to match. Made with Ketel One Citroen, Limoncello, Yellow Chartreuse and lemon bitters, it’s strong and a good palate cleanser but proved to be a little too powerful for my friend.
Amour de la Vigne ($19) is an elegant cocktail in comparison, made with Ciroc Vodka mixed with Lillet Blanc, Apricot Brandy, muddled grapes and served in a coupette with a slice of lemon.
The bar quickly fills up on a Wednesday night yet noise levels are bearable and conversations are not strained over the music. Barry Chalmers, Eau-de-Vie’s general manager steps out from behind the bar and asks us how we’re enjoying our drinks. Charming Scottish accent aside, we strike a lively conversation about my drink preferences and I end up ordering a cocktail off the menu which Barry mixes while I watch at the bar.
The making of Gin Refashioned
Gin Refashioned, is made with Tanqueray Gin, passionfruit liqueur and a dash of orange bitters and comes served in a tumbler around a hand chiselled square block of ice. Watching the workings behind the bar is part of the fun at Eau-de-Vie. I like the way the block of ice fits snuggly into the tumbler before the liquid is poured. The cocktail is exquisite and drinking it reminds me of the Minus 5 Ice Bar where the glasses were made out of chiselled ice.
Mezze Plate
Eau-de-Vie has a select food menu with tasting plates ranging from $15-$25 that are designed to be shared. The Mezze Plate ($24) comes with a selection of chorizo sausage, thin shavings of prosciutto, , melon balls, caramelised onions, pesto dip, beetroot dip, tomato and bocconcini and toasted sour dough bread slices.
Salmon Trilogy
The Salmon Trilogy ($22.50) consists of salmon roe on toasted brioche, sashimi-style salmon pieces and slightly seared salmon, dressed in soy sauce and sesame that is lovely and pink in the middle.
Well stocked bar
Drink paraphernalia
Eau-de-Vie is an intimate bar with a romantic old world ambience. You can easily imagine men in suits, hats and cigars occupying dark corners. The background jazz tunes contributes to the vibe without straining to converse. Whether you go there with a small group of friends, with someone you want to impress or on a date night, the standout cocktails and the stellar service are guaranteed to bring you back.
Edit – Don’t miss our second review of Eau-de-Vie Bar: St Patrick’s Day Cocktails at Eau-de-Vie Bar, Darlinghurst
Eau de Vie Bar
229 Darlinghurst Rd
Darlinghurst Sydney NSW
http://www.eaudevie.com.au/
This article is posted on Gourmantic.com. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2012
I hope that the Citrus Quartet wasn’t so powerful that your friend wasn’t able to enjoy that scrumptious looking food. This sounds like a place I’d like to spend a little time – jazz, interesting decor, wonderful food and drinks. Nice.
She was ok to eat but took her time with the cocktail. I had a sip of her drink and although it’s strong, I’m used to drinking (potent) home-made Limoncello so I would have been ok with it. But not on an empty stomach! :)
I’m not sure I can stomach so much salmon ….
Between four of us, we managed it. And the oil from the salmon is good to line the stomach… for more cocktails! :)
I like the sounds of that Yuzu Mule. But more so, when the bartender mixes you a cocktail after talking to you, my kind of bar.
Exactly. We’ve been raving about Eau de Vie to friends since we’ve been there and this kind of personal touch makes you want to come back.
i like the look of this one! also, like those nice mixing glasses they’re using at the bar.
Forest, you’d love it! This is the place I told you about some time ago :)
The yuzu mule and gin refashioned sound so good! And I like the old world, personal style. Is this a new place?
It just turned one year old. And I do admit, re-reading this review makes me thirsty for that yuzu mule!
This looks like such a cool place. The Gin Refashioned looks fabulous!
It tasted as good as he promised. Could have easily had another… but they’re rather potent!
I’ve never eaten here – looks like I should!
I adore the glasswear at Eau De Vie…! Sigh – if only I had that whimsical variety in my kitchen cupboards…
Isn’t it beautiful! I love how it’s all part of the package at Eau de Vie, and everything complements the setting and ambience. As for food, you need it if you’re like me and can’t drink a lot! :)
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